According to a recent large-scale investigation, reduced cognitive function and memory deficit may be among the long-term effects of COVID-19.
In comparison to those who had never been diagnosed with coronavirus, patients who had recovered from symptoms exhibited a cognitive disadvantage comparable to three IQ points, per study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Thursday. In the meantime, research subjects who experienced ongoing, unresolved symptoms saw a six-point drop in IQ.
For individuals who were admitted to the intensive care unit, the effects of COVID-19 were considerably more noticeable, as seen by an IQ decline of nine points relative to the control group. The study states that at the same time, the researchers “observed a small cognitive advantage among participants who had received multiple vaccinations.”
Post-Covid cognitive deterioration is caused by “multiple underlying factors,” according to the study. Researchers stated, “Our results confirmed associations of cognitive deficits with fatigue and mood swings, as well as with a variety of other symptoms.”
Given the severity of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Journal’s editorial on the study deemed the findings alarming and stated that “the broader implications require evaluation.”
Simultaneously, the findings suggested that those experiencing cognitive deterioration as a result of ongoing Covid-19 symptoms may eventually restore some of their capacity, catching up to those who made a full recovery.
About 113,000 out of the 800,000 participants in England were able to complete the research. To assess the participants’ cognitive ability, a series of online examinations were administered. A significant limitation of the study was the absence of information regarding the IQ scores of the subjects prior to Covid-19 infection. This meant that their cognitive abilities were evaluated in comparison to those without the illness, rather than being based on their own capabilities.
According to World Health Organization data, there have been a total of 774 million recorded Covid cases globally, with seven million reported deaths. Apart from an apparent cognitive decline, the long-term effects of Covid could include chronic pain, brain fog, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue.
